28 | NOVEMBER 30 • 2023 
J
N

I

t is time to come together 
and celebrate Chanukah and 
Jewish pride like never before 
with Detroit Pistons Jewish 
Heritage Night.
“The Chanukah lights that 
we light at night emphasize our 
ability to transform the darkness 
around us. Especially now, when 
we see the ugly face of darkness all 
around us, it’s even more import-
ant to come together in unity and 
celebrate the fact that light will 
always defeat darkness,
” said Rabbi 
Yishai Eliefja of The Shul-Chabad 
Lubavitch in West Bloomfield. 
Echoing the urgency of this 
moment in time for light and 
community, Rabbi Yisrael Pinson 
of Chabad Greater Downtown 
Detroit said, “There is unprec-

edented awakening among the 
Jewish people from all walks of 
life. The events of Oct. 7 have 
shaken us to the core, and each of 
us is looking for ways to connect 
to our community, to our own 
Jewish identity.
”
On Dec. 13, the Detroit Pistons 
welcome the Jewish commu-
nity to the third annual Jewish 
Heritage Night at Little Caesars 
Arena. In addition to seeing 
the Detroit Pistons school the 
Philadelphia 76ers, guests will get 
to celebrate the seventh night of 
Chanukah like never before. 
During halftime, guests will be 
part of the lighting of a very spe-
cial basketball menorah built by 
Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan 
just for this occasion. This will 

be the first ever public menorah 
lighting at a Detroit Pistons game.
“We are honoring the 2023 
Jewish News Class of 36 under 36 
on the court prior to the game,
” 
said Nikki Wald, Detroit Pistons 
group sales executive and herself 
an awardee. 
“We are also having members 
of our Jewish youth high-five the 
players as they enter the court 
and stand in front of them during 
the National Anthem,
” she added.
Additional highlights of the 
night include a chance to meet 
Ryan Turell, Motor City Cruise 
forward and graduate of Yeshiva 
University. 
Guests will receive com-
plimentary tickets to the Feb. 
13 Motor City Cruise Jewish 

Heritage Night game. “Students 
from Temple Beth El and Adat 
Shalom will also be singing the 
national anthem for the Motor 
City Cruise Jewish Heritage 
night,
” Wald said.
Swag for guests includes a 
limited-edition Jewish Heritage 
Night beanie. Kosher food will be 
available as well.
Rabbi Eliefja spoke further 
on the power of light. “Even a 
small candle has the power to 
chase away tremendous dark-
ness, all the more so when the 
entire Jewish community comes 
together to celebrate the Festival 
of Lights.
”
Rabbi Pinson added, “Jewish 
Heritage Night at the Pistons 
is an excellent opportunity to 
activate this burning desire of 
connection and celebrate the 
resilience of the Jewish people 
together.
” 

Learn more at Pistons.com/JewishHeritage. 

For any special seat requests and 

accommodation needs, reach out to Nikki 

Wald at (313) 771-0189.

Detroit Pistons Host 
Jewish Heritage Night

Show your pride Dec. 13 at Little Caesars Arena.

YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A basketball 
menorah

Details
What: Detroit Pistons Jewish 
Heritage Night
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13
Time: 5:30 p.m.: Festivities begin; 
7 p.m.: Game time
Where: Little Caesars Arena, 
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit

JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT

TICKETS

STARTING AT $29

VS.

WED. DEC. 13 | 7 PM

Festivities begin at 5:30

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

▪ Pistons Game Ticket

▪ FIRST EVER PUBLIC Menorah Lighting During Halftime 

▪ Motor City Cruise Jewish Heritage Night Ticket

▪ Post-Game Free Throw on the Court

▪ Jewish Heritage Night Beanie

▪ Kosher Food